In pursuing the American dream for their children, many immigrant families, primarily Bosnian and Vietnamese, flock to the Bayless area of St. Louis. Bayless Junior High does a remarkable job in helping them achieve that dream by uniting ALL of its students into one caring family. With an innovative principal at the helm, it seems natural that the Bayless faculty consistently seeks inventive ways to surmount hurdles in this lively junior high school, located just southwest of the city of St. Louis in “the most culturally diverse district in the state.” Optimistic and energetic, the staff sees the school’s diversity as a strength and explores many avenues to meet the needs of a student population that is 35 percent Bosnian, 46 percent non-Bosnian Caucasian, 8 percent African-American, 9 percent Asian, and 2 percent Hispanic.
Read more about Bayless in the 2009 NSOC book: “Achieving the American Dream“
Signature Practices
Promising Practice: Living on Your Own: Creating Responsible Consumers
The “Living on Your Own” consumer math unit provides a comprehensive approach to consumer education by engaging students in meaningful, hands-on activities that model real-life financial situations.
Promising Practice: Dental Health Plan: Tooth Character
Students create and follow a dental health contract with their parents to promote health and foster a connection between parents and students.
Promising Practice: Student Expectations
Students generate behavior expectations in response to data that indicated a need to focus on student autonomy.
Contact Information
Ronald J. TuckerPrincipal
4530 Weber Road St. Louis, Missouri
Phone: (314) 256-8690
Email: rtucker@bayless.k12.mo.us
Website: www.baylessk12.org